If doing audio upgrades in 2025 . Which is the most popular, easy to install, I’ve looked at both Audison and Focal as options but would welcome advice/result etc. and are you better off getting an expert to fit?
Thanks
Thanks
GR Yaris opinion of getting the audio upgraded
- Thread starter colliseumj
- Start date
I fitted the front ISTOY165 Focals (mid and tweeter) and it improved the sound significantly over the stock JBL speakers. I enjoy listening to music and I couldn't live with the standard system. One of the bolt holes in the mids needs slightly elongating to fit correctly (just use a drill).
It was easy to do, just takes time. Removing the A pillar trim (airbag connector) is fiddly the first time, but there are plenty of guides online. Removing the door cards is simple.
Example of a front door install from 4:40 here:
It was easy to do, just takes time. Removing the A pillar trim (airbag connector) is fiddly the first time, but there are plenty of guides online. Removing the door cards is simple.
Example of a front door install from 4:40 here:
Hazy Ghost
New member
- Jul 27, 2025
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No vibration-insulating mats in the doors/on the floors? GR is generally a noisy car with limited potential of improving. Not voting for the stock music cause it's just about the radio, but how much of their capabilities Focals do with stock bear metal almost everywhere?
The front Focals were a big improvement over the stock JBL fronts.
I suppose if you fitted insulation it would remove 'some' of the road noise.
Hi,
JBCTR on YouTube has done a self install which may be of some use to you. He installed an Audison based system, with including insulation.
Studio Incar and Audiophine Incar on YouTube are a good source of info as they have numerous videos on GR Yaris installs you can get ideas from.
For first hand experience, I have an Audison system installed, done by Creative Car Sounds in Enfield, i love it. I picked a shop as I wanted custom tweeter mounts otherwise I would have tackled it myself.
Definitely doable on your own.
JBCTR videos:
Audiophile Incar playlist:
Studio Incar:
https://youtu.be/59qmckpze6E?si=V3rfZm8HEwzs7Mrg
Finally my install by Creative Car Sounds:
https://youtu.be/-xmj5kmSCBo?si=DuuPE-H5_d6FISSX
JBCTR on YouTube has done a self install which may be of some use to you. He installed an Audison based system, with including insulation.
Studio Incar and Audiophine Incar on YouTube are a good source of info as they have numerous videos on GR Yaris installs you can get ideas from.
For first hand experience, I have an Audison system installed, done by Creative Car Sounds in Enfield, i love it. I picked a shop as I wanted custom tweeter mounts otherwise I would have tackled it myself.
Definitely doable on your own.
JBCTR videos:
Audiophile Incar playlist:
Studio Incar:
https://youtu.be/59qmckpze6E?si=V3rfZm8HEwzs7Mrg
Finally my install by Creative Car Sounds:
https://youtu.be/-xmj5kmSCBo?si=DuuPE-H5_d6FISSX
So the ISTOY165 kit fits fine in place of the JBL's- apart from the woofer (door speaker) requiring the hole elongated? Did you leave the built in crossovers on the Focal speakers in place- or bypass them? My understanding is the JBL system uses active crossovers so the crossovers on the ISTOY165 shouldn't be required? And you left the stock JBL mid range in the dash?
It's been something I've considered doing for a while for- the same reasons. It just doesn't sound right stock.
Have you left the ANC functioning too- does it still work?
(I've circled the crossover components below.)
I used the crossovers as they came on the Focal fronts and tweeters, they sound fine. I left the stock mid connected in place.
I have ANC (and ESE) turned off, as I couldn't hear the tyres properly when near the edge of grip on the track...
- Dec 27, 2021
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Focal front kit arrived today. Thanks to all on this thread for their contributions and inspiration to finally upgrade the somewhat dismal factory system, at least in part.
Now, place your bets as to when I actually get round to fitting them!
Now, place your bets as to when I actually get round to fitting them!
- Dec 27, 2021
- 1,661
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- 288
Well, the answer to “when am I fitting them” was…29 December. For the door drivers anyway. Will attack the tweeters over the next few days.
Yes, I had to ream out one of the holes (below) on the new driver. Bit inexcusable, that. The rest of the kit seems well made.
And I didn’t want to leave the adapter cable flapping about to rattle in the door, so Velcroed it down.
You can also see a bit of the dynamat-type stuff that I added to damp some of the wobbliest bits of door panel. Just a couple of bits, really, one next the driver and a larger piece on the inside of the outer door skin.
Figured it couldn’t hurt while I was in there.
As for sound quality? Well, there is at least a bit of bass now and it seems relatively well controlled. No surprise when you compare the Focal magnets with the standard fit crap!
They seem a bit more efficient too, louder for the same volume setting means they pretty much top out at around 50 depending on source, same as the stock system.
I will do the tweeters soon. Place your bets!
Yes, I had to ream out one of the holes (below) on the new driver. Bit inexcusable, that. The rest of the kit seems well made.
And I didn’t want to leave the adapter cable flapping about to rattle in the door, so Velcroed it down.
You can also see a bit of the dynamat-type stuff that I added to damp some of the wobbliest bits of door panel. Just a couple of bits, really, one next the driver and a larger piece on the inside of the outer door skin.
Figured it couldn’t hurt while I was in there.
As for sound quality? Well, there is at least a bit of bass now and it seems relatively well controlled. No surprise when you compare the Focal magnets with the standard fit crap!
They seem a bit more efficient too, louder for the same volume setting means they pretty much top out at around 50 depending on source, same as the stock system.
I will do the tweeters soon. Place your bets!
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